Moya Greene letter to Canada Post employees on human swine influenza - April 27, 2009

Dear Colleagues

As you may have heard on the news, the Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed a limited number of cases of A, H1N1 swine flu among humans in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. All cases have contracted the same strain of human swine influenza that has been found in the U.S. and Mexico.

Human swine influenza is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu. The symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat.

According to the Public Health Agency, the cases reported in Canada and the US were milder than those reported in Mexico. All of the people reported to be affected so far in Canada and the US have recovered.

The health and safety of our employees and of all Canadians is our primary concern. Given the scope of our operation, the work that we do and the people we reach, it is extremely important that each and every one of you be vigilant when it comes to containing this flu.

First and foremost, if you think you may have the swine flu, please do not come to work, and contact a doctor immediately. I would also ask you to contact your team leader as soon as possible. We will make arrangements to inform the appropriate health authorities.

In addition there is a lot you can do to make sure you do not contract this or any other flu. The Public Health Agency advises Canadians to follow regular flu prevention methods which include:

  • Frequent thorough hand washing with soap and warm water, and it is always good to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, if soap and water are unavailable
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with your hands
  • Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve
  • Avoid shaking hands if you have any flu-like symptoms
  • Get your annual flu shot
  • Talk to your family doctor or a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms
  • If you have recently been to Mexico and have flu-like symptoms, contact your family doctor
  • If you have been in contact with someone who has recently been to Mexico and has flu-like symptoms, and you develop flu symptoms, contact your family doctor, or other healthcare professional.

The Public Health Agency does not recommend the use of surgical masks. Evidence shows this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public.

We will be taking our direction from the Public Health Agency of Canada (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca). I promise to keep you informed of any developments that may concern you directly. We will also share regular updates and links to the Public Health Agency of Canada site on Intr@post. For those of you who do not have access to a computer at work, but do have a home computer, we will be posting updates and links on canadapost.ca.

I want to thank each of you in advance for your vigilance and support at this time. Remember to help keep yourself, your family and your colleagues safe by taking the precautions recommended to fight the spread of this or any other flu.

Yours truly,

Moya Greene

Flu Central